Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1963)

Wktf They'te hiking About □ □ □ In the Movie Business □ □ □ LAWRENCE' CUT. The original 222 minutes 'unning time of "Lawrence of Arabia" is Deing trimmed approximately 20 minutes, a source from abroad informs us. Since the 3am Spiegel-David Lean production received' pighly favorable reviews and is a leading Contender for Academy Award honors, I there was a reluctance to make any cuts at all. ■• Consideration of the trimming idea was prompted by practical factors. The almost four fhours (including overture and intermission) necessitates an 8 p.m. starting time and a close to midnight exit, posing a problem for suburban audiences coming into town. This reportedly fled the "Lawrence" co-producers to the decision to make minor cuts in the print being exhibited in London. Theatres in the U. S. iare expected to receive trimmed prints jwithin the next few weeks. ■ iBACK TO HOLLYWOOD. A well-founded report was heard at the weekend to the effect that Hollywood labor leaders will shortly issue an upbeat statement hailing a strong "back to Hollywood" trend. This new attitude was sparked, we hear, by their talks a few days ago with 20th-Fox president Darryl F. Zanuck, who presumably gave the unions encouragement on his future production plans based on some assurances that labor will be cooperative. Other film makers also are jreported to have promised to channel their projects back to the U. S. if the unions make some concessions on wage scales and "featherbedding". ■ (MORE ECA STARS. The roster of talent being acquired by the new ECA continues to swell. With Robert Mitchum and Bobby Darin signed to multiple picture deals, and Henry Fonda committed to star in the filmization of "Fail-Safe", today's No. 1 best-seller, look for president Max Youngstein shortly to reveal more acquisitions. Two hot prospects for the ECA banner: Gregory Peck and Robert Preston, each to star in properties that already have been selected. ■ AFTER THE STRIKE. The prolonged New York newspaper strike, now of over six weeks duration, is giving motion picture advertising executives cause to ponder their future promotion plans. While some attractions, especially the class and art films, have been hit hard by the lack of newspaper advertising, others have benefitted by the diverse substitute media employed to reach the public. Some of the film and theatre promotion people are inclined to the view that more extensive use will be made of TV, radio mobile units, billboards, etc. even after the newspapers resume publication. ■ NSS HIKE APPROVED. National Screen Service has notified exhibitors that it must ask a flat ten percent increase on trailer and accessory services from all theatres whose rates have not been increased for the past 3 years or longer. Affirmative responses are coming in from practically all theatremen. In his message to NSS customers throughout the country, president Burton E. Robbins stated that the ad service company "has been faced with economic burdens during the past decade that have become increasingly difficult to endure." He detailed the costly efforts of the company to maintain its services to theatres despite spiralling costs, a 25 percent reduction in its market and an even greater decline in income. "We've been explaining this situation for years", Robbins wrote, "in an effort to obtain your understanding and support. In some instances the fairness of our request was greeted by increases from exhibitors who have appreciated our need for sufficient income to maintain a service that is so valuable to them. By and large, however, we alone have absorbed the higher cost of supplying these services." Although drastic economies have been effected, he continued, "it is no longer possible for us to effect further economies without seriously endangering our ability to efficiently service the exhibitors." Film BULLETIN January 21, I9A3 Page 3